University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

Page 11 text:

VOLUNTEERS Sigma Nu members were among the more than 50 students working in conjunction with the Young Demo¬ crats, the organization that sponsored Clinton’s campus visit. The volunteers mailed nearly 3,000 special invitations to area campaign supporters, formed a phone bank for calling guests, painted signs and helped provide security for the event. B. Ebbrecht photo VICTORY PARTY The Democratic election watch party at the Hilton convention center was a happy place as voters cheer official projection that Gov. Bill Clinton would become the next president. Television reporters, broadcasting live from the headquarters, had to compete with the celebration to file reports . In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Dale Bumpers defeated Mike Huckabee; however, Democrat John VanWinkle was defeated by Republican Tim Hutchinson in the Congres¬ sional race. B. Ebbrecht photo ON THE ROAD Crossing the state line into strong Republican territory in southwest Missouri, about 40 UA students, including Wendy King, ASG vice president, distributed flyers and talked to voters as part of the “College Arkansans for Bill Clinton ’92.” B. Ebbrecht photo Election 9

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“It was a once-in-a-lifetime event to be with the first family on Election night. It was exhilarating, one of the best nights I’ve ever had.” ■ Junior Kelly Smakal ON THE NIGHT OF NOV. 3, 1992, the dream of a young man from Hope, Arkansas came true. And, it arguably was the biggest event in the history of Little Rock, and perhaps the entire state of Arkansas. Gov. Bill Clinton, looking tired but surprise ingly energized after a 29-hour, 4,000-mile jaunt through eight states, arrived in Little Rock early on election day and was greeted by chants from supporters. The arrival of election day brought relief for the tired governor who had traveled coast to coast spreading his message of hope, liberty and change. While waiting for election returns, Clinton said, “I’m just glad it is over.” Clinton, 46, was elected president of the United States becoming the nation’s third young¬ est man to hold the office. His message had been well received among many Americans both young and old, whose votes for the Democrat had a big influence in the electoral college. As state after state went into the Democratic column, it became evident early in the night that Clinton was on his way to the White House. The election brought a record number of voters to the polls, especially in the 18-25 age group. Clinton’s youth and his emphasis on using unconven¬ tional media channels gave his campaign a populist flavor. To keep his name in front of voters, Clinton often used non- traditional venues such as MTV and The Arsenio Hall Show. During his fight for the executive office, Clinton faced accusations of infidelity, marijuana use and draft dodging. From Oct. 31, 1991 when Clinton announced his candi¬ dacy for president to the Democratic National Convention, the polls showed that voters did not trust him. However, on election night, the results told another story. “The people have spoken,” Independent can¬ didate Ross Perot said in Dallas election night. “They have chosen Governor Clinton.” And, indeed the people from Arkansas spoke out in Little Rock. As election returns rolled in, the celebration started in downtown Little Rock as voters waited patiently for the Clintons and Gores to appear in front of the Old State House — the spot where the campaign started approxi¬ mately a year earlier. Hundreds of students traveled to Little Rock to share in the election night festivities hoping to congratulate, or at least get a glimpse of the new president. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime event to be with the first family on election night,” junior Kelly Smakal said. “It was exhilarating, one of the best nights I’ve ever had.” Smakal went to Little Rock with a friend and got more than she ever expected. “I had a personal tour of Clinton’s national headquarters by a member of the Clinton team,” she said. “I also went to Virginia Kelly’s party, the only party Clinton went to. I spoke to him and hugged his neck. He looked tired, but he still took the time to hug and shake hands with people.” While there, Smakal met several famous people. “At the party, I met Richard Dreyfuss, saw Jack Nicholson and had coffee with Markie Post,” she said. “We could not get a cab, so we rode to where we were staying in a limo with a California Representative.” Smakal was impressed by the whole celebration. “Everyone from Arkansas — Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians should be proud to call him president just be¬ cause he was from our state,” she said. BY MATT HELMER KIM TRACEY 8 Student Life

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BOSS HOG An avid Razorback fan, the newly inaugurated 42nd president and his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea and several other Arkansans clap to the Razorback fight song as the marching band passes by the presidential reviewing stand. Television sets in the White House were tuned into the Razorbacks during basketball season. The Clintons hosted a gathering of Arkansas friends to watch the final basketball game in Barnhill Arena on television. J. Totter photo EAGERLY WAITING Band members waited several hours on the bus for the moment when they would get to march in the parade. UA band photo GLUED TO THE SET For those students unable to travel to Washington for the inauguration, television provided a close-up view of all the action. Junior Brian Leising watches Clinton take the oath on the large-screen television in the Arkansas Union. M. Gray photo 10 Student Life